Flu ravages Serbia: 6.649 cases recorded in one week

Institute for Public Health of Serbia "Dr. Milan Jovanović Batut" announced on Friday that from December 16 to 22, 6.649 cases of similar illnesses were recorded in Serbia flu.

A slight increase was recorded compared to the previous week, while compared to the same period last year, it was 30 percent lower, the announcement stated.

Low intensity of influenza virus activity and local geographical distribution were registered. The highest incidence rates were recorded in the age groups of children under four years of age.

Since the beginning of the surveillance season and ending with the 51st reporting week in the Republic of Serbia (December 16-22), the influenza virus has been laboratory confirmed in the territory of the Šumadija district, the city of Belgrade, Srednjebanatski, Južnobački, Južnobanatski, Severnobanatski, Zapadnobački, Moravički, Braničevski, Pirotski and Zlatiborski district.

The number of people suffering from acute respiratory infections in Serbia in the same week was 12.384.

The Institute reminds that the first laboratory-confirmed case of influenza virus infection was registered in the 40th reporting week from the territory of the Šumadija district. So far, influenza viruses type A (H1pdm09), AH3, A untyped and type B have been confirmed in the laboratory.

Flu symptoms

Influenza is an infectious disease that is transmitted to a healthy person by droplets that are thrown out by infected persons when they cough, sneeze and speak, by direct contact - by shaking hands or kissing, or by contact with contaminated objects.

Common symptoms of flu are: fever, malaise, headache, pain in muscles and joints, cough, sore throat, increased secretion from the nose.